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Summary

The Smithsonian Institution (SI) is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex, with 21 museums and the National Zoo.  This position is in the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives (SLA). The Smithsonian Libraries and Archives gathers, organizes, and disseminates the records and history of the Institution to support its research, curatorial, exhibition, publication, public service, and education programs.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
12/22/2025 to 01/08/2026
Salary
$63,307 to - $82,305 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 08
Location
Washington, DC
FEW vacancies
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent - Federal
Work schedule
Full-time - Full-Time, Permanent
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
08
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
26R-ST-313346-MPA-SLA
Control number
853069500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Only current Smithsonian Institution (SI) internal employees in the competitive service, serving on a federal career or career-conditional appointment, may apply. More than one selection may be made from this announcement.

Duties

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The Librarian Technician is responsible for  providing  technical support for collection management, reference, and circulation and patron services for one or more of SLA's library divisions. 

In this position, you will:

  • Oversee the day-today management of physical collections for the library.
  • Provide circulation, interlibrary loan, and patron account services, using the library’s circulation and interlibrary loan technology systems.
  • Provide basic reference services to patrons.
  • Provide basic administrative support for the library manager, staff and patrons.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • Requires career/career-conditional status or eligibility.
  • Males born after 12/31/59 must be registered with Selective Service.

Conditions of Employment

Qualification requirements, including one year time-in-grade at the next lower grade level for promotion candidates, must be met within 30 days of the job announcement closing date. See the 'Required Documents' section for additional information.

For information on qualification requirements, see Qualification Standards Handbook for General Schedule Positions viewable on OPM Website.

Qualifications

Experience: You qualify for this position if you have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-07 level in the Federal Service.  For this position, specialized experience is defined as managing library collections (shelving, shifting, processing new materials, bibliographic data entry); providing circulation and patron services, including processing and fulfilling interlibrary loan requests; and providing basic reference and information services to library patrons.


Your resume must be no more than two (2) pages and should clearly demonstrate how your experience aligns with the responsibilities and specialized experience required for this position. Do not copy language directly from the vacancy announcement, as you will be deemed ineligible for consideration. Instead, provide detailed, descriptive information about your actual experience.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience. Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week.

Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying).

Education

There is no substitution for education at this grade level. 

Additional information

  • This position is included in the bargaining unit.  

Recruitment Incentive: Recruitment incentive(s) may be authorized for this position.  However, approval for incentives are contingent upon various availability. If authorized, certain incentives will require the incumbent to sign a service agreement to remain in the Federal government for a certain time period.

Note: This statement does not imply nor guarantee an incentive will be offered and paid.

Selections may be made for vacancies across the Smithsonian Institution (SI). By applying to this position, you agree to allow your application and other personal information to be shared with one or more SI hiring officials for employment consideration for same/similar positions within the location(s) identified in this announcement.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be evaluated first for the basic qualifications described above. The applications that meet the basic qualifications will be evaluated further against the following criteria:

  1. Knowledge of bibliographic data elements (title, author, series, publication date, Library of Congress call number) sufficient to accurately shelve, search, order, process, and manage physical library collections.

  2. Knowledge of key functional elements of library technology systems (catalog and interlibrary loan) sufficient to create patron accounts, circulate materials, fulfill interlibrary loans, and generate notices; ability to deliver high-quality customer service to patrons.

  3. Ability to conduct bibliographic searches using library catalogs or databases and interpret citations to locate and provide relevant materials for patron inquiries.

  4. Ability to carry out regular oversight of facilities, supplies, and equipment, to identify concerns, and take appropriate action to remedy any issues.

Important Note:

Your resume and supporting documentation will be compared to your responses to the occupational questionnaire or other assessment tool for consistency. If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your resume, you will be assigned a rating commensurate to your described experience. Your resume should provide detailed information regarding how your education and experience relate to this position, including the major duties and qualifications criteria listed.


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